18 January 1942:
At 0739, joins the operation “R” convoy for the Invasions of Rabaul, New Britain and Kavieng, New Ireland.

19 January 1942:
At 0600, at sea, the destroyers ASANAGI, OITE and YUNAGI arrive on the the port side and are refueled. At 0757, at sea, the destroyers MOCHIZUKI and YAYOI arrive on the starboard side and are refueled. At 1437, during refueling of ASANAGI the supply pipe tears. At 1450, refueling is temporarily stopped due to damage of the port tower lubricator. At 1638, the destroyer MUTSUKI returns.

20 January 1942:
From 1030 till 1335 the destroyer MUTSUKI is refueled. At 1730, YUNAGI detaches.

Authors' Notes:
[1] The IJN renamed requisitioned vessels when a ship of the same name already existed in the fleet. For example, KAIJO MARU became KAIJO MARU No. 2. Some ships also had a "Go" (name symbol) added, so KAIJO MARU No. 2 became KAIJO MARU No. 2 GO.

Photo credit goes to the Dan Wheeler collection via Ron Wolford and Gilbert Casse. Thanks to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France for a general review, Berend van der Wal of Netherlands and to Gengoro Toda of Japan.